The 7th Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly is being held in Kigali, Rwanda. Agriculture experts have gathered together to discuss ways in which Africa can make its agricultural sector more technology oriented.
At the event, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank stated that his bank will invest $24 billion in the continent only in the agricultural sector over the next 10 years.
“The continent holds huge arable land that cannot only produce food for itself but the bigger part of the world,” Dr Adesina said.
Africa currently though imports food stuffs worth $33 million every year. It results in a trade deficit that needs to be taken care of immediately.
“It’s high time that Africa feeds Africa,” Adesina told participants at Camp Kigali village at the ongoing Africa Agriculture Science Week and Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa ‘s general assembly.
Rwanda’s Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi who officially launched the event told the experts gathered that Rwanda is at the centre stage in innovating agriculture technology.
Rwanda he said has been working with other African nations in taking the sector to the next level.
“This sector is a crucial cornerstone for Africa’s transformation. Rwanda is among first African Countries to sign the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).” CAADP is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. As of March 2015, 41 African Union Member States have signed CAADP compacts.
To deal with trade deficits in Agriculture, State Minister for Agriculture, Tony Nsanganira, said, “Youth and women are the groups needed in the sector as agro-processing industry is expected to grow by14%. There is a need to increase incentives in the sector.”
35% of the country’s economy is accounted for by Rwanda’s agricultural sector. The country however, imports foodstuff worth $300 million every year. Last year the country’s food and beverages, vegetables, and meat exports went up from 28.9% to 30.9%.